The Detroit Tigers made a move to shore up their bullpen by acquiring reliever Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers.

In exchange, the Rangers received minor league pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel from the Tigers.

The deal was completed after the Rangers' rain-shortened game against the New York Yankees Wednesday night.

Soria, who served as the Rangers closer, joins current Tigers closer Joe Nathan in the bullpen. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski told the Detroit Free Press in an email that Nathan "remains our closer." That would leave Soria to pitch in late inning situations and serve as an insurance policy for the recently shaky Nathan.

Soria, 30, is an upgrade for the Tigers relief corp that ranks 12th out of 15 in the AL and has a 4.37 ERA.

"I just want to help them win the World Series," said Soria. "That's what it's all about, and I hope I can help out as much as I can."

Soria saved 17 of 19 chance and has a 2.70 ERA this season with with the struggling Rangers. The two-time All-Star also owns a 10.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which ranks second among all American League relievers.

Nathan, the former Rangers closer from 2012-13, has struggled this season with the AL-Central leading Tigers -- saving 20 of 25 save chances with a 5.89 ERA.

Soria has a $7 million club option for 2015.

Contributing: AP

GALLERY: TRADE DEADLINE TRACKER

July 31: The Rays traded LHP David Price to the Tigers in a three-team trade with the Mariners. The Mariners received OF Austin Jackson; the Rays got LHP Drew Smyly, INF Nick Franklin and minor league INF Willy Adames. Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports